If we have not experienced depression, we may not understand depression unless we have walked alongside someone going through this. And if we are depressed, we may not always name it as depression, perhaps struggling with a sense that we are not like others. Richard Winter's book is an important contribution for those struggling with depression and for those who care for them.
The first part of the book explores the nature of depression--the experience of depression, bi-polar illness, physical and chemical causes of depression, the wounds of childhood and griefs in the present. The second part deals with depression and while recognizing the value of medications goes beyond these in addressing various issues around depression including suicide, anxiety and fear, forgiveness and anger, guilt and shame, and what the healing process looks like. I especially appreciated the chapter on forgiveness and anger, particularly Winter's insights of how closely these are intertwined.
Winter concludes with an appendix on spiritual warfare, the demonic, and depression. He is balanced, neither dismissing the possibilities of demonic influence, particularly in those who have occult connections, nor finding in all mental struggles a lurking demon.
The first part of the book explores the nature of depression--the experience of depression, bi-polar illness, physical and chemical causes of depression, the wounds of childhood and griefs in the present. The second part deals with depression and while recognizing the value of medications goes beyond these in addressing various issues around depression including suicide, anxiety and fear, forgiveness and anger, guilt and shame, and what the healing process looks like. I especially appreciated the chapter on forgiveness and anger, particularly Winter's insights of how closely these are intertwined.
Winter concludes with an appendix on spiritual warfare, the demonic, and depression. He is balanced, neither dismissing the possibilities of demonic influence, particularly in those who have occult connections, nor finding in all mental struggles a lurking demon.